Diagnosing & Differentiating Obstructive Airway Diseases

Airway resistance and specific airway conductance appear to be significant factors contributing to the diagnosis and differentiation of obstructive airway diseases, according to an international study. Abnormal airway resistance and specific airway conductance were found in 39% of participants with obstructive disease, compared with a rate of 18% observed among those with other respiratory diseases or no respiratory disease. Researchers determined airway resistance to be more relevant and statistically significant in differentiating asthma from COPD. Both measures were more specific than sensitive diagnostic tests in differentiating asthmatics from healthy participants.